Headwater streams and inland wetlands: Status and advancements of geospatial datasets and maps across the United States

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 235, P. 104230 - 104230

Published: Oct. 28, 2022

Language: Английский

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Waterbody connectivity: Linking science and policy for improved waterbody protection

BioScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 75(1), P. 68 - 91

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Connectivity—the flows and exchanges of organisms, materials, energy within among watersheds—is a central paradigm in ecosystem science. Changes those connections have consequences for functioning water quality downstream upstream. Therefore, connectivity is cornerstone federal protection under the United States Clean Water Act (CWA). In present article, we review science connectivity, explain history changes CWA jurisdiction defining waters States, discuss implications US policy, highlight key steps to align that policy with The Sackett v. EPA (2023) Supreme Court decision significantly reduced wetlands headwaters, disregarding their larger, protected waterbodies. To fulfill goals restore maintain chemical, physical, biological integrity U.S. waters, Congress must amend act, fully recognizing multidimensional aquatic ecosystems ultimately incorporating these into ecosystem-level policy.

Language: Английский

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Hydroclimate Projections and Effects on Runoff at National Wildlife Refuges in the Semiarid Western United States

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 61(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT This study evaluated hydroclimate projections and effects on runoff at National Wildlife Refuges in a semiarid region of the western United States (U.S. Fish Service Region 6) using mean air temperature (TAVE) precipitation (PPT) inputs (RO) output from national application Monthly Water Balance Model (MWBM). An ensemble statistically downscaled global circulation models for two future emissions scenarios Coupled Intercomparison Project 3 5 (CMIP3 5) were assessed refuges years 1950–2099. TAVE, PPT, RO departures baseline conditions analyzed MWBM hydrologic response units within refuge boundaries. Seasonal results across four periods: historical (1951–1969), (1981–1999), 2050 (2041–2059), 2080 (2071–2089). Projected TAVE increases all time periods, whereas PPT are much more variable ecoregions. Using high emission scenario, summer monthly range 4.8°C to 5.5°C by 2080. Summer vary −5.7 3.9 mm (up 14% decrease), with decreases 41% refuges. −16.7 0.2 60% 71% Under same winter increase most These will create substantial challenges conservation management region.

Language: Английский

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Annual Peak Runoff Forecasting Using Two-Stage Input Variable Selection-Aided k-Nearest-Neighbors Ensemble

Water Resources Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Predicting probabilities of late summer surface flow presence in a glaciated mountainous headwater region

Hydrological Processes, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(2)

Published: Jan. 18, 2023

Abstract Accurate mapping of streams that maintain surface flow during annual baseflow periods in mountain headwater is important for informing water availability human consumption and a fundamental determinant in‐channel conditions stream‐dwelling organisms. Yet accurate captures local spatial variability associated controls on presence limited. An empirical random‐forest model was developed to predict streamflow permanence (late summer surface‐flow presence) Mount Rainier National Park the surrounding mountainous area western Washington, USA. This improve upon existing multi‐state, regional‐scale probability stream greater Pacific Northwest Region (PROSPER PNW ). The trained 544 wet/dry observations collected late summer, period from 2018 2020 using crowd‐source mobile application, FLOwPER. Final accuracy 0.74 with drainage covariates describing geology, topography, land cover as top predictors compared coarser resolution climatic covariates. prevalence static over ranked highlights importance scale when evaluating permanence. Cross validation indicates probabilities this an improvement PROSPER demonstrating utility relatively simple, crowd‐sourced data address resource needs, determination influenced by temporal analysis.

Language: Английский

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Effects of episodic stream dewatering on brook trout spatial population structure

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 69(7), P. 1027 - 1041

Published: May 20, 2024

Abstract Stream dewatering is expected to become more prevalent due climate change, and we explored the potential consequences for brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) within a temperate forest ecosystem in eastern North America. We estimated fish density stream pools n = 386) from electrofishing surveys over 10 years (2012–2021) compare that exhibits episodic (Paine Run) against of similar size remains flow‐connected (Staunton River) Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (U.S.A.). Annual encompassed fluvial distances ranging 2.6 4.4 km each stream. Mean annual (fish/pool m 2 ) was not different between streams juvenile or adult age classes, but spatial variation greater Paine Run both classes fish. also included proportion unoccupied than Staunton River exhibited stronger autocorrelation among nearby pools, suggesting dispersal limitation surface flow fragmentation. Fish increased during with low summer precipitation, this effect observed River, further indicating importance movement into response low‐flow thresholds. Our results indicate as ecological refuges conditions may affect extirpation risks by sequestering fewer areas. findings highlight hydrological networks because downstream river gages could predict heterogeneity pool occupancy.

Language: Английский

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Predicting Streamflow Duration From Crowd‐Sourced Flow Observations

Water Resources Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 60(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Streamflow duration is important for aquatic ecosystems and assigning stream protection status. This study predicts streamflow duration, represented as the fraction of time with flow each year, using a combination sensor data crowd‐sourced visual observations area in northern Colorado, USA. We used 11 stage sensors 177 monitoring points to examine how frequently streams should be sampled compute fractions accurately. showed that number needed accurate increases decreasing duration. then developed random forest models predict mean annual climate, topographic, land cover predictors found snow persistence, summer precipitation, drainage were predictors. Model performance was best when sites ≥10 observations. Our model almost all (98%) region are non‐perennial, about 10% more than amount non‐perennial National Hydrography Dataset. Stream type maps sensitive period collection thresholds represent perennial versus flow. To improve streams, we recommend moving beyond categorical classification continuous variable like fraction. These efforts can supported frequent span wide range attributes.

Language: Английский

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The importance of source data in river network connectivity modeling: A review

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 7, 2024

Abstract River network connectivity (RC) describes the hydrologic exchange of water, nutrients, sediments, and pollutants between river channel other “sites” via heterogenous flowpaths along corridor. As water moves downstream it carries these constituents, creating a stream‐to‐ocean continuum that regulates global carbon, nutrient cycling. models have developed over many decades, culminating in recent years with network‐scale RC explicitly simulate transport elements from headwaters to coasts, sometimes requiring contain tens millions reaches. These advances provide transformative insights into aggregate effects on material across scales local global. Yet, reviews pointed several challenges need be overcome continue advancing modeling. In service goals, I summarize maps identify similarities differences large‐scale modeling landscape. Although our computational upscaling abilities significantly improved revealed new insights, current are still limited by quantity, quality, resolution, lack standardization available situ databases source data necessary for This suggests we can extend if keep improving datasets, while continuously revisiting physics theory explain those data. doing so, will expand role informing quality management future.

Language: Английский

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Zero‐Flow Dynamics for Headwater Streams in a Humid Forested Landscape

Hydrological Processes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Much of our understanding on temporary headwater streams is from arid and sub‐humid environments. We know less about zero‐flow periods in humid catchments that experience seasonal snow cover. Our study characterised the temporal spatial patterns for forested a snow‐dominated landscape. used 36 years streamflow data 13 within Turkey Lakes Watershed located Canadian Shield Ontario, Canada, near eastern shores Lake Superior. These differ substantially their number May–November days (0–166 per year) despite being clustered small geographical area with similar geology, physiography vegetation The also continental climatic conditions relatively even precipitation inputs throughout year (mean annual 1210 mm/year). Inter‐annual variability was primarily associated evapotranspiration. Despite large snowpacks form this region, amount did not appear to influence extent periods. found between‐catchment occurrences related differences catchment properties typically greater groundwater influence. suggests zero‐flows can be highly variable over regions flow permanence may more sensitive spring fall weather than due partly shallow soils Shield.

Language: Английский

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Development of a Surface-Water Index of Permanence to assess surface-water availability for ecohydrological refugia

Fact sheet, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

First posted October 13, 2023 For additional information, contact: Director, Wyoming-Montana Water Science CenterU.S. Geological Survey3162 Bozeman AvenueHelena, MT 59601 Surface-water availability has major implications for the environment and society in 21st century. With climate change, increased drought severity, altered water land use, future is predicted to continue decline many areas, including much of western United States. An understanding where when will be available at multiple scales crucial planning management wildlife health, recreation, energy development. Currently, indices describing presence permanence exist specific surface-water components (for example, streams wetlands); however, a general index that includes all lacking. Developing Surface-Water Index Permanence can provide reliable metric understand river reach- region-scale inform policy decisions.

Language: Английский

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